Karzai Pleads for Resolution to Disputed Afghan Presidential Election
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Sean Gallup/Getty Images(KABUL, Afghanistan) — Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued an urgent appeal for unity Tuesday to the two candidates who are vying to replace him.
Speaking at a tribute to slain resistance leader Ahmed Shah Massoud, who was killed by the Taliban 13 years ago, Karzai told hundreds of Afghan leaders that they need to convince Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah to stop bickering about the outcome of the election for the good of the nation.
An audit of eight million ballots was conducted after Abdullah alleged massive fraud. Earlier this week, Abdullah said he would not accept the results of the audit, which appear to favor Ghani, while also seeming to hedge on taking part of a unity government.
Karzai is desperate to leave office, having served two terms, and already staying on two months past the initial deadline to hand over power to his successor.
However, despite Karzai’s pleas for a diplomatic end to the controversy, many pro-Abdullah followers booed a Ghani supporter off the stage, which also forced Karzai to exit the venue.
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